Withdrawal limits at banks, ATMs raised; new Rs 500 notes launched

The finance ministry revised the cap on bank withdrawals on Sunday while advising similar changes to ATM withdrawals less than a week after the government’s demonetisation of 1000 and 500 rupee notes left people in a tight spot.

As per the directive, the weekly withdrawal limit from banks has been increased to Rs 24,000 from Rs 20,000, while the daily limit of Rs 10,000 has been scrapped.

The ministry also advised banks to increase cash withdrawal limits in ATMs to Rs 2,500 per day in recalibrated ATMs. People were able to withdraw only upto Rs 2,000 so far.

As for exchange of demonetised banknotes, the ministry advised increasing the limit from Rs 4,000 to Rs 4,500.

The new currency notes of Rs 500 also finally hit the bank branches.

Sources said the Reserve Bank of India will mint more currency notes of the denomination in the coming days.

The move comes amid growing anger among citizens who, for the past week, have been stuck waiting for hours in long lines outside banks and ATMs. In a surprise move, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced that all existing 1,000 and 500 rupee were being made illegal tender from November 9 in a move to tackle black money. However, the sudden change left citizens scrambling to exchange their money for lower denominations and the newly introduced Rs 2,000 note. On Sunday, the new Rs 500 note was also brought into circulation.

The ministry further advised banks to arrange mobile banking vans at major hospitals to facilitate emergency transactions for patients. To handle the swelling crowds, separate queues for cash-to-cash transactions and those through bank accounts have been proposed.